Yes, you can boost your credit score!

● 1 Add missing accounts

A surprisingly easy way to up your credit score quickly? Order one of your three free annual credit reports from Annualcreditreport.com, then review it to find out if all the creditors you pay monthly (like your wireless company and cable provider) are included. If not, call and ask them to share the history of your payments with the three main credit agencies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion. The more on-time payments you can show from any business, the higher your credit score!

● 2 Forget credit card due dates

Rather than wait to pay your credit card bill at its due date, make two or more separate payments toward what you owe throughout the billing cycle. Why? You’ll show a lower balance when your lender reports it to credit reporting agencies—which is before your due date— translating into a higher credit score! Plus, since most credit card companies calculate interest by the day, paying part of your balance earlier than your due date means you end up paying less interest!

● 3 Use your credit card more often!

There are lots of money-saving benefits to using credit cards to pay for bills and merchandise beyond getting cash back— including making your credit score climb! That’s because continually using up to 25% of your credit line, and paying it off on time, proves you handle money responsibly, which is a key factor in your score.

● 4 Apply for a loan

Is the only type of credit line you have through credit cards because you paid off your car or don’t have a mortgage or other loan? Next time you need to make a sizeable purchase, say for a new laptop, consider applying for an installment loan at your local credit union or bank to pay for it. Why? Approximately 10% of your credit score is based on how you handle two types of credit —revolving (credit cards) and installment (loans for school, homes and purchases). Having a history of both shows your ability to manage a wider variety of financing, leading to a higher credit score.

The higher your credit rises, the more money a higher credit score can save you—by entitling you to lower interest on loans, credit cards and more! Avoiding late payments and disputing errors on credit reports are key, and so are these simple tips: